To demonstrate visual layers, I immediately thought about the strata of reflections. Each segment of a reflection is a slice of the original image placed upon one or more spaces of time and place.

In the Lens section are two images that were taken this month and show reflections upon the creek: clouds, leaves, sky, trees–even wires. There is a sense of autumn’s weight upon the landscape. There is a sense of quiet beauty emerging from a fully-colored season to one of bare angles, lines and shapes. The layers provide possibilities of past in the present.

Layers are sweet signs of more. They offer a chance for vast interpretation that is easily reflected in the reflections. We see what it there, and we see in their abstraction what can be.

Note: As always I welcome any comment about this post or any part of my blog.

I prefer 1 because you have composed it so well. The small dark triangles in the upper lh and lower rh corners balance nicely. The dark mass in the upper lh half matches the light mass below it, and both have small extensions into the other’s area. Even the dark areas bl and ur balance to some extent. Despite all that the photo does not look artificially constructed at all. Perhaps this is because the very different textures of the tree reflections, water, rocks and leaves partly distract you from the underlying pattern of light and dark shapes. (Maybe another kind of layering?) I like it very much indeed- thank you for posting it!

I’ve had unusually many chances to photograph fall color recently. That’s an unaccustomed luxury for someone from Austin, so you won’t be surprised to hear me ask why you decided to discard the pictures’ colors. Was it because you wanted the images to be more abstract?

I’m inclined to experiment with monochrome. I like viewers to see nature in various ways. This particular scene was so detailed that I did not want the color to distract from the reflections of autumn. There is also that element of giving the image a focus on its abstract qualities.

I think they are both great for different reasons. The first for the layers of sky, tree reflection and then the leaves floating. The second because it’s way more abstract and very painterly. Wonderful images!

I like the second one best. It is more abstract and you can feel the layers almost. They look like mirrors sliding the gaze deeper in or more outward. That creates a lot of dynamics and free space for having your own journey through this picture! Well done!

Both are great images – I prefer the second photo because I like abstract images – and how many reflected trees have not yet seen – but to me these would be richer and have more depth if they were in color …